Agents insist Brits undeterred by Lanzarote tourism row

Cookes said it was important not to lose sight of the importance of British tourists to Lanzarote, where Brits – she said – currently constitute around half of visitors, making an "essential" economic contribution.

Several other agents, including Thorne Travel’s Shone Thorna and Scapa Travel’s Amanda Sykes, told TTG they have not clocked any concerns from clients. Others said it was far from the first time debates around Spanish destinations’ efforts to overhaul their image had caused ructions.

“We had the same thing with Majorca a few years ago, talking about trying to change its image,” said Idle Travel director Tony Mann, while Andrew Earle of Andrew Earle’s Holidays recalled similar discussions about Tenerife in the 1990s.

Both Mann and Earle instead called on local authorities to promote a positive and inclusive debate around the island’s ambitions and avoid loose or generalised comments.

"It’s the officials making these comments who make the decisions about what the place is or is not," said Mann. "We just don’t need the negative headlines. If they want to make the place better, let’s put a positive spin on it.

"Lanzarote is a beautiful place, and has so much to offer tourists. And I’m sure the hoteliers and restauranteurs have been pleased to see British tourists come back after Covid. It’s a case of ’be careful what you wish for’."

Earle added any negative commentary would harm a destination’s ambitions, adding it was his belief authorities in Lanzarote should focus on upscaling their offering rather than criticising those who visit.